Introduction, design and setup
If you want to breathe new life into your existing monitor, projector or television, Asus's Chromebit is a simple $85 (£55, AU$118) solution that turns any display into a Chrome all-in-one PC.
The device is a simple way to upcycle your existing hardware, which you may find obsolete for your computing needs. If you've already upgraded your desktop to a 4K display, why throw away that perfectly good, but outdated, 720p desktop monitor? Just plug the Chromebit into the HDMI port, and the device converts your dumb display into a smart computing terminal. All you need to do is bring your own keyboard, mouse and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Chromebit competes with similar PC-on-a-stick solutions, but many of the Chromebit's competitors run Windows. The Chromebit differentiates from the Intel Compute Stick ($149, £97, AU$206) and Lenovo's Ideacentre 300 ($99, £64, AU$137) by swapping Windows 10 for Chrome OS.
Going with Chrome OS may have been a smart choice for Asus. Even though Chrome is more limited in capabilities than Windows, it provides enough utility for most users looking to upcycle old hardware by allowing them to check their emails, browse the web, stream online videos and work on documents using Google's browser-based apps. More importantly, Chrome OS makes better use of the limited hardware resources on the PC-on-a-stick form factor. This leads to a faster, more fluid user computing experience than competing solutions that use Windows as the operating system.
Design
Unlike traditional desktop PCs that take up valuable workspace on your table, the Chromebit is an unassuming, matte black HDMI dongle that plugs into the rear of your monitor or HDTV.
Even though the device is small and travel-friendly, it's not exactly compact. At 4.84 x 1.22 x 0.67 inches (123 x 31 x 17mm), the Chromebit dwarfs my already large Kingston DataTraveler Ultimate USB 3.0 G3 flash drive, which measures 2.75 x 0.88 x 0.38 inches (70 x 22.4 x 9.7mm).
The Chromebit, with its elongated shape and rounded edges, is still more compact and lighter than carrying a Chromebook with you on a business trip, provided you don't need to use it while in transit, as it lacks a display, keyboard and trackpad or mouse. The device only weighs 0.17 pounds (85g).
The size and weight is roughly comparable to the Intel Compute Stick. The Chromebit is 0.78 inches (19.8mm) longer, 0.24 inches (6.1mm) more narrow and 0.2 inches (5.1mm) thicker than Intel's Windows-powered counterpart. The compactness of Intel's solution makes it even more impressive given that it is capable of delivering the full power of Windows in a similar footprint.
In addition to breathing new life into existing or old displays that you have on hand, business users can travel with the Chromebit, a Bluetooth keyboard and a wireless mouse and have a PC workstation wherever they can find a display. Because data is stored on your Google cloud and synchronized with your own hardware, the Chromebit delivers a more secure computing solution than a PC in a hotel business center or using a client PC in a remote office.
In my case, I have a 4K monitor at home, and plugging in the Chromebit instantly transformed my display into a Chrome OS-powered all-in-one.
Setup
The setup process was easy, requiring only a few steps. I plugged the Chrombit into the rear of my 4K monitor and connected the included power cable to the Chromebit. The dongle doesn't come with buttons, so once the power cable is attached, it instantly powers on. The only other port, besides the power port, on the Chromebit is a USB 2.0 port, which is located on the opposite end of the HDMI connector.
If you position your monitor or HDTV close to the wall, you'll need at least 10 inches of clearance from the rear of the display to accommodate the Chromebit and any USB cable. If you're adding a USB flash drive, you'll likely need more space between your display and the wall to accommodate the combined length of both devices. To mitigate space constraints in cramped offices, Asus included a 1-foot (30.5cm) HDMI extension cable.
Once the unit powers on, a setup wizards walks you through connecting a keyboard and mouse, which you'll need to supply on your own. You can either use the USB port to connect wired peripherals, or the Bluetooth 4.0 connection to add wireless devices. Going the wired route may necessitate a mini USB hub for adding more than one USB accessory.
I opted to go the wireless route, and pairing a Logitech K810 Illuminated Bluetooth Keyboard ($99) and Logitech V470 Bluetooth Laser Mouse (discontinued; pricing unavailable) was easy. Once the keyboard and mouse were turned on and in pairing mode, the Chromebit recognized both devices immediately. Connecting the keyboard required a passcode, which was generated and displayed on my monitor, and the mouse paired without any issue.
After the devices connected, the Chromebit asks you to find your wireless network and enter your network password to connect to the internet. Once the device connects to your network, the setup process continues by downloading any updates available on Google's servers. At the end of the process, you'll be able to enter your Google account credentials to log in.
Performance and benchmarks
The Chromebit comes in a single configuration, so that means you can't upgrade the processor, storage or memory on the unit. The only configuration you can make at the time of purchase is to choose whether you want the unit in Cacao Black or Tangerine Orange.
Here's how the unit that was sent to techradar pro was configured:
Specifications
Processor: 1.8GHz Rockchip RK3288-C (quad-core, 28nm, ARM Cortex-A17 Harvard Superscalar)
Graphics: Integrated Rockchip Mali T764 quad core
Memory: 2GB RAM LPDDR3L
Storage: 16GB eMMC
Connectivity: 1x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI 2.0, power port, dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
Weight: 0.17 pounds (75g)
Dimensions: 4.84 x 1.22 x 0.67 inches (123 x 31 x 17mm)
Performance
Even though the Rockwell processor isn't as powerful as the Intel Core i5 Broadwell CPU found on Google's 2015 model of the Chromebook Pixel, I didn't encounter any performance lags or slowdowns in general computing tasks, web browsing or multimedia playback. The Rockchip RK3288-C, based on ARM's Cortex-A17 architecture, is extremely power efficient and a capable performer.
In my testing, 4K YouTube videos played without any stutter. Similarly, music streamed perfectly from my Google Play Music library. To tax the processor, I had several Chrome browser tabs opened, Google Docs running and YouTube streaming 4K video content at 60 frames per second, and the Chromebit surprised me. Even on more limited hardware, performance was rock solid.
Benchmarks
Octane: 7,707
Mozilla Kraken: 5,458
SunSpider 1.0.2: 726.1
JetStream: 43.31
Performance of the Rockwell processor is in line with what you would expect on other Chrome OS products sporting ARM processors.
Asus used the same Rockwell chipset on its Chromebook Flip, a convertible Chrome OS notebook with a 360-degree hinge that transforms the device into a tablet. The Chromebook Flip's scores came in slightly lower than the Chromebit, with results of 6,795 for Octane, 5,447 for Kraken and 686 for SunSpider tests.
Still, these numbers are low when compared against devices with a more powerful dual-core Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processor. The Core i5 version of Acer Chromebook 15 C910 scored 25,240 on Octane and 1,301.5 on Kraken, outperforming the Chromebit's quad-core ARM-based processor by a ratio of three to one. Google's first and second generation Chromebook Pixel notebooks also use Intel's Core i5 processor.
With the limitation of Chrome OS, choosing a device with the highest processor configuration may be overkill. Chrome OS doesn't support high CPU and GPU bandwidth applications, like Adobe Photoshop or Premiere Pro, so there is a significant diminishing return with the extra power.
Moreover, Intel's high-end notebook processors also make these systems expensive. The Acer Chromebook C910 is priced at $499 (£263, AU$686), while Google's 2015 model of the Chromebook Pixel starts at $999 (£799, AU$1,277).
Business users living within Google Apps will find that the Rockwell chip delivers more than enough power to work in Google Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides. The Chromebit can also fluidly handle multitasking with multiple Chrome browser tabs. Home users looking to retrofit their television into a smart TV will be pleased that 4K videos will stream with ease on the Chromebit, provided you have a fast enough internet connection.
Verdict
In addition to home users who want an inexpensive desktop or living room Chrome OS PC, the Chromebit's affordable price and pocketable form factor targets several different types of computing users. The solution is great for small business owners looking to repurpose old monitors or TVs, it is a great companion for traveling professionals looking to do their computing in an office or hotel room and it is a great tool for presentations when you don't want to carry a bulkier laptop. And because of its compact footprint, it could also be used to power digital signs and kiosks.
We liked
The Chromebit takes the idea of a Chrome OS all-in-one to a new, modular level. Unlike the Chromebase from LG and Acer, you can choose your display size and resolution.
Want Chrome OS on a 55-inch 1080p HDTV? Just plug in the Chromebit and your television turns into a Chromebase. Want Chrome OS on a 32-inch 4K monitor? You can have that too. The best part is that in a couple years when new updates to Chrome start to feel sluggish on the Chromebit, you can just "upgrade" your make-shift AIO by swapping it for a dongle with current hardware without having to throw away your display.
Additionally, for travelers, it turns any dumb display into a smart TV, allowing you to surf the web, stream online videos and get work done. You'll still need to be stationary at a desk or in a hotel room to use the Chromebit, because unlike a Chromebook, this device doesn't have an integrated display, keyboard and mouse to get work done while on the road or in the field.
We disliked
The $85 (£55, AU$118) asking price for the Chromebit makes it look appealing when compared to mini PCs, but the cost quickly adds up once you add in a Bluetooth keyboard, wireless mouse and a monitor. For that cost, if you don't need a large display, a Chromebook will give you more versatility as the integral peripherals (display, keyboard and touchpad) are all integrated at a cost of around $200 (£130, AU$277).
Additionally, the Chromebook is a more mobile PC, allowing you to work in a car or while in transit on a plane. Even if you fly first class and have enough tray table space to setup a 20-inch monitor and layout your keyboard and mouse, you'll need two power ports for your Chrome PC to work: one for the Chromebit and another for the display. In this sense, the Chromebit isn't as much a mobile PC as it is a compact desktop that's easy to take with you when you travel.
Final verdict
By partnering with Chrome OS, Asus has found the perfect formula for its Chromebit to overcome some of the limitations of earlier Windows-based PC-on-a-stick rivals. The Rockchip processor delivered solid performance for general computing tasks, and Chrome OS feels zippier to navigate than Windows on the competing Intel Computing Stick.
The Chromebit is a perfect solution for office or home users looking to upcycle old displays. Small business owners will realize the value of the Chromebit when they upgrade their desktops at work. Rather than tossing out the display, the Chromebit makes it easy for businesses to repurpose existing hardware for other tasks, saving money in the long run.
from TechRadar: Technology reviews http://ift.tt/1HcZhVl
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